Flying-machine.



P. STUMPF.

FLYING momma.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1914- 1,157,337. Patented 0ct.19,1915.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL STUMPF, OF HENNIGSDORF, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Application filed November 4, 1914.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PAUL STUMPF, a subject of the King of Prussia, residing at Hennigsdorf, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F lying- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to flying machines having folding wings, which are turned to a position parallel with the body of the machine for storage or transportation. WVhen such machines are intended to travel for considerable distances on the ground it is necessary to provide a special truck to support the rear ends of the body and wings. The truck is attached to the machine when it is desired to transport the same over the ground and is removed when the machine is made ready for flight.

Heretofore machines have been so arranged that the rear of the wings when folded are supported from the body and the truck is used to support the rear of the body. This loads the body with the wings, and as the wings stand out quite broadly both in a longitudinal and crosswise direction, the wide back and forth movements of the wings, particularly when traveling over rough ground, places a severe strain upon the ribs and mounting of the body which in time causes the ribs to become bent and twisted and the mounting to become loosened.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement which will overcome the above difficulties.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following specification and the claims appended thereto.

The drawing is a diagrammatic end view of a flying machine with the wings in folded position and showing one embodiment of my improved supporting truck in place.

1 indicates the body of the machine and 2 and 3 the wings which are strengthened in a transverse direction by the diagonal stay wires 4. As is well understood these wings are suitably supported at the front so as to permit of the wings being folded as illustrated. 5 indicates a supporting member comprising an upright central member 6 adapted to be connected to the body 1 by the universal joint 7 and a pair of arms 8 and 9 adapted to engage with and support Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

Serial No. 870,226.

the rear ends of the wings 2 and 3. The member 5 is flexibly supported on the running wheels 10, and the connection between it and the wheels is such that it may oscillate m a vertical transverse plane. In the present instance the wheels are connected by the axle 11. The central member 6 is made tubular and telescopes with a tubular member 12 pivoted to the axle 11 at 13. Arranged between the members 6 and 12 is a spring 14 which serves to flexibly support the member 5 with reference to the wheels. Connecting the arms 8 and 9 with the axle 11 are coiled springs 15 and 16. These springs serve to bias the arms 8 and 9 to a a horizontal position, and also to a position in 1the same vertical transverse plane as the ax e.

The spring lt permits a certain amount of vertical movement of the body and wings and the axle relative to each other and the two telescoping members 6 and 12 permit of a relative turning movement. This turning movement is resisted by the springs 15 and 16 which will exert a torque tending to return the parts to normal position. This torque, as is clear, is transmitted through the arms 8 and 9 to the wings when the same are folded and to the universal joint 7 when the wings are not folded. In the interest of lightness it is desirable that this universal joint and its attachment to the body be no heavier than absolutely required and for this reason the ends of the springs 15 and 16 are attached to the arms 8 and 9 at points quite near to the perpendicular axis of rotation of the telescoping members 6 and 12. By this arrangement the maximum torque which will be exerted is lim ited to such a value that it will never be so great as to necessitate that the universal joint and its connection to the frame be especially strengthened in order to avoid injury thereto.

By the independent support of the body and the wings, the lateral movements of the wings are prevented from being transmitted directly to the body, while due to the universal joint 7, the oscillations of the truck which are caused by the wings, are prevented from exerting a harmful moment on the body. Moreover, the body is free to oscillate independently of the other parts.

It is to be especially noted that due to the pivot 13 the axle can place itself obliquely in a perpendicular plane and due to the spring 11 and the telescoping members 6 and 12 it can move perpendicularly with relation to the support 5 and can also oscillate about the perpendicular axis of the support. This arrangement is of decided advantage in traveling over rough ground as will be obvious.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck for supporting the rear ends of the wings and the body when the wings are in folded position comprising wheels, a member adapted to support the body, means resiliently supporting the member on the wheels, and arms carried by the member which engage the wings.

2. The combination with a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck comprising wheels, an axle, and means carried by the axle for supporting the rear ends of the body and the wings independently of each other when the wings are folded and the machine is being transported on the ground.

3. The combination with a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck for supporting the rear ends of the wings and the brdy when the wings are in folded position comprising wheels, a member pivoted to the body by a universal joint, means resiliently supporting the member on the wheels, and arms carried by the member member which engage the wings.

The combinaticnwith a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck for supporting the rear ends of the wings and the body when the wings are in folded position comprising wheels, a member pivoted to the body by a universal joint, means pivotally and resiliently supporting the mem her on the wheels, and arms carried by the member which engage the wings.

5. The combination with a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck for supporting the rear ends of the wings and the body when the wings are in folded position comprising wheels, an axle, a support comprising a central member which engages with the body, and a pair of arms which engage with the wings, means for resiliently and pivotally joining said support to the axle, and spring members connecting the arms with the axle.

6. The combination with a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck for supporting the rear ends of the wings and the body when the wings are in folded position comprising wheels, an axle, a pair of telescoping tubular members, one of which is pivoted to the axle and the other of which is adapted to be pivoted to the body, arms carried by the last mentioned member for engaging the wings, and a spring interposed between the two tubular members for resiliently supporting one upon the other.

7. The combination with a flying machine having folding wings, of a truck for supporting the rear ends of the wings and the body when the wings are in folded position comprising wheels, an axle, a pair of tele scoping tubular members, one of which is pivoted to the axle and the other of which is adapted to be pivoted to the body, arms carried by the last mentioned member for engaging the wings, a spring interposed between the two tubular members for resiliently supporting one upon the other, and spring members connecting the arms to the axle.

8. A truck for supporting the rear ends of the body and wings of a flying machine comprising wheels, a central supporting member, means pivotally and resiliently supporting it on the wheels, supporting arms carried by said central supporting member, and spring members connecting the arms to said means.

9. A truck for supporting the rear ends of the body and wings of a flying machine comprising wheels, an axle, a tubular member pivoted to the axle to oscillate in a transverse plane, a second tubularmember telescoping with it, a spring interposed between said members, supporting arms carried by the said second tubular member, and spring members connecting the arms to the axle.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 2 day of October, 1914.

PAUL STUMPF.

Witnesses:

Josnr Scnuonnnn, KARL SCHIFFNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,157,337, granted October 19, 1915, upon the application of Paul Stumpf, of Hennigsdorf, Germany, for an improvement in Flying-Machines, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 42, claim 3, strike out the Word member; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of November, A. D., 1915.

J. T. NEWTON,

[SEAL] Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

